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How to win at networking
Key insights
6 takeaways- 01The mobile gaming sector's constant state of flux makes the collective exchange of information at influential hubs, such as those in Scandinavia, a vital resource for developers.
- 02Building a robust professional network is the primary driver for long-term success in the mobile gaming ecosystem, often outweighing technical skill alone.
- 03Effective networking requires proactive engagement, such as initiating conversations with strangers rather than staying within established social circles.
- 04Strategic preparation, including pre-arranging meetings before events and using recognizable branding like company apparel or recent titles, significantly increases professional visibility.
- 05Industry professionals at events like the Nordic Game conference in Malmö focus on sharing knowledge regarding monetization shifts, specifically the transition from traditional in-app purchases to real-money tournaments.
- 06Failing to carry essential materials like business cards is a common pitfall that prevents effective professional follow-ups after initial meetings.
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Transcript
we're here at the mobile mixer for nordic games i'm with pocketgamer and we're basically going to go around around find some developers and see what they're here at the conference for and what makes this region so special this is the land of angry birds and we want to find that secret of success what are you guys most looking forward to from the show free free drink garland hugs simon stalin simon stelling hog what are you looking forward to about simon sterling i saw your red hoodie and i thought you might be rovio but yeah oh no this is like superman so you were saying that this is your first time at nordic game you have no sleep this is this is going to be quite an intense conference for you what are you expecting um i'm not really here with any expectations just want to meet a lot of cool people in the industry and have a good time i think we sort of come here to have a booth and hopefully you know on board a lot of good content i mean i think i think everyone knows that the nordic region has
a lot some of the best games to have come out we're looking to meet developers they're looking for alternative monetization solutions for their games that might use ads or in-app purchases and we offer something different which is real money cash tournaments in mobile games networking is huge at these conferences do you have any top tips for other developers just talk with people i mean don't stick to the people that you just know i'd say go out and talk to people you don't know like if there's someone buying a drink next to you just say hey i'm this and this person start talking with them you wanna go out there and talk to people and just like random people and you never know when you're gonna find the right match for you it really helps if you've already released something that people would recognize and then if you're wearing like your shirt and people would recognize your shirt we lost our luggage on the way here so unfortunately that's not happening but last time it was we released a game like two weeks before gdc so that was really helpful and try to set up meetings before you get there you gotta be yourself and you're gonna be there you want to learn about
these marketplaces free to play especially because no one knows at all we're in a complete cycle of discovery and learning we can all learn from each other and there's no better place to be than in scandinavia right now just be confident the more people you talk to knowledge is power right have any of you ever made any networking faux pas i forgot all my business cards home when i went to gaming conference that was a mistake too many to mention yeah we're not going to talk about this what is your top game of the last year altos adventure have you have you guys heard about that game it's a great game that's our favorite uh bad land for me that was the game of the year two years ago for me it's coming out yeah coming out ps4 beautiful game that's the one for me first person supercell with the heyday supercell's gotta be one of them but yeah absolutely some more year one about uk publishers really natural motion publishers but it's also about sonogram
year walk that was a deep intense game i got lost in that game the most successful or the best the best let's go the best in your opinion the best is mine
Summary
The Nordic region maintains a reputation as a global powerhouse for mobile game development, exemplified by the success of titles like Angry Birds. Industry professionals gather at events like the Nordic Game conference in Malmö, Sweden, to navigate the evolving landscape of mobile gaming. The primary objective for attendees is to foster connections, share knowledge regarding monetization strategies—such as transitioning from traditional in-app purchases to real-money tournaments—and gain insights into the current cycle of discovery within the free-to-play marketplace.
Effective networking at these conferences relies on proactive engagement and strategic preparation. Professionals emphasize the importance of initiating conversations with strangers rather than remaining within established social circles, as serendipitous encounters often lead to valuable partnerships. Pre-arranging meetings before the event and leveraging recognizable branding, such as wearing company apparel or having a recently launched title, significantly enhances visibility. Conversely, common pitfalls include failing to bring essential materials like business cards, which can hinder professional follow-ups.
Confidence and authenticity remain the cornerstones of successful industry interaction. Because the mobile sector is in a constant state of flux, the collective exchange of information is viewed as a vital resource for all developers. By prioritizing open communication and maintaining a presence in influential hubs like Scandinavia, developers can better navigate the complexities of the global market. The consensus among participants is that while technical skill is paramount, the ability to build a robust professional network is the primary driver for long-term success in the competitive mobile gaming ecosystem.
